Martinsville, Va.-based Nationwide Homes recently unveiled its Care-Cottage, a new housing concept for disabled or elderly people. The custom-designed modular units offer an affordable alternative to costly home renovation or assisted-living facilities while providing privacy and independence.

Dan Goodin, Nationwide’s director of sales and marketing, said Care-Cottages are ideal for families who would like to take care of loved ones, either by adding a modular unit onto their existing homes or having a freestanding unit on their property.

“Our typical clients are people with health or disability issues who need the assistance of family members, but also want to live their own lives and maintain a certain level of independence,” he said, adding that the biggest market potential involves aging Baby Boomers.

The first Care-Cottage was built for Angie Plager, who was injured in a car accident that left her paralyzed from the chest down. While Plager was able to move back home, she wound up in her mother’s living room, since all of the bedrooms in her family’s two-story, farm-style home in rural Iowa are upstairs.

Plager and Nationwide worked together to custom-designed her own wheelchair-friendly Care-Cottage, which was recently installed next to her mother’s home. The 14-foot by 44-foot modular home features wide doors as well as a custom-designed kitchen, bathroom and shower facilities that are easily accessible without having an institutional look or feel.

For more information, visit www.nationwide-homes.com.

Source: Nationwide Homes.